Cosmetic composition comprising a phosphoric triester and a skin activating component

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a cosmetic comprising (A) a phosphoric triester represented by the general formula  
                 
 
     wherein R 1  and R 2  are independently an alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R 3  is an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, X, Y and Z are independently an alkylene group having 2 or 3 carbon atoms, l and m are independently a number of 1 to 10, and n is a number of 0 to 10, and (B) a skin activating component.  
     The cosmetic is excellent in moisturizing effect; the effects of preventing and remedying skin roughness; the effects of preventing the firm and resilient skin from declining and remedying the declined skin; the effects of preventing a complexion from dulling and remedying a dull looking face; the effects of preventing and remedying the conspicuousness of pores of the skin and pimples caused by excess sebum, microorganisms or keratonosis; the effects of preventing development of wrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin; and the effects of preventing and remedying spots and freckles, and moreover gives users a pleasant feeling upon use.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a cosmetic which is excellent inpreventing and remedying effects on a variety of cutaneous troubles andgives users a pleasant feeling upon use.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] In recent years, it has been a matter of significant concern tomaintain a healthy and beautiful skin irrespective of age or sex.However, the skin is delicately affected by aging, and besidestemperature, humidity, ultraviolet rays, cosmetic products, diseases,stress, eating habits, etc. Therefore, various troubles such as thedecrement of various functions (functions of preventing the loss ofwater and the like from the vital body to control the homeostaticmaintenance of the body heat, protecting the body from physical andchemical stimulation and various bacteria and keeping the resilience ofthe skin to determine its surface form, and the like) of the skin andaging of the skin occur.

[0003] Further, the cutaneous troubles occur due to, in addition to thefunctional aberration of skin tissue caused by intracorporeal andextracorporeal factors, which act on the vital body, such as changes ofthe external environments (seasonal changes, ultraviolet rays, etc.) andvariations in physiological functions attendant on aging or diseases asdescribed above, pachymenia, parakeratosis and the like induced thereby.

[0004] On the other hand, wrinkles, which are one of dermal troubles,occur due to dermal aging caused by aging, drying, ultraviolet raysand/or the like. More specifically, the skin is aged by morphologicalchanges of the epidermal surface caused by physical and chemicalstimulation from the external world, such as drying and ultravioletrays, and tissue degeneration in the dermis by aging, diseases, stressand the like, particularly, deterioration of the dermis, in whichcollagen fibers are lost to a great extent, reduction of subcutaneousadipose tissue and the like, which the aging mainly forms the cause ofwrinkles, slackness and loss of resilience.

[0005] Spots and freckles on the skin are generally considered to becaused by the abnormal pigmentation of melanin pigment within the skin;the melanin pigment is synthesized in melanocytes activated by the causesuch as stimulation by exposure to ultraviolet rays from sunlight,hormone aberration or genetic factors.

[0006] As principal attempts for preventing and remedying such cutaneoustroubles, there has been carried out a method in which a synthetic ornatural moisturizer is applied to the skin, thereby preventing thedrying of the skin to enhance the moistening ability of the skin; amethod in which a blood circulation-facilitating agent is applied to theskin, thereby facilitating the circulation of blood; the development ofagents for preventing wrinkles (Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNos. 185005/1987, 502546/1987, 72157/1990 and 288822/1990, etc.); theapplication of a whitening agent such as a melanin inhibitor; or thelike.

[0007] However, all these means have not attained a sufficient effect onthe cutaneous troubles.

[0008] It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide acosmetic which is excellent in preventing and remedying effects on theabove-described cutaneous troubles and gives users a pleasant feelingupon use.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In view of the foregoing circumstances, the present inventorshave carried out an extensive investigation. As a result, it has beenfound that when a specific phosphoric triester and a skin activatingcomponent are used in combination, the phosphoric triester facilitatesthe penetration of the skin activating component to synergisticallyenhance the effects of the skin activating component, i.e., themoisturizing effect, the effects of preventing and remedying skinroughness, the effects of preventing the firm and resilient skin fromdeclining and remedying the declined skin, the effects of preventing acomplexion from dulling and remedying a dull looking face, the effectsof preventing and remedying the conspicuousness of pores of the skin andpimples caused by excess sebum, microorganisms or keratonosis, theeffects of preventing development of wrinkles and remedying the wrinkledskin, the effects of preventing and remedying spots and freckles, theeffects of preventing and remedying the conspicuousness of pores of theskin and pimples caused by excess sebum, and the effects of preventingdevelopment of wrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin, and so acosmetic which can effectively remedy the above-described cutaneoustroubles and gives users a pleasant feeling upon use is provided, thusleading to completion of the present invention.

[0010] According to the present invention, there is thus provided acosmetic comprising the following components (A) and (B):

[0011] (A) a phosphoric triester represented by the general formula (1):

[0012] wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different from each other andindependently a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbonatoms; R³ is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbonatoms; X, Y and Z are the same or different from one another andindependently a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 or 3 carbonatoms; l and m are the same or different from each other andindependently a number of 1 to 10, and n is a number of 0 to 10; and

[0013] (B) a skin activating component.

[0014] According to the present invention, there is also provided amethod for improving the efficacy of a skin activating component, whichcomprises incorporating a phosphoric triester of the general formula (1)into a cosmetic composition comprising the skin activating component.

[0015] According to the present invention, there is further provided useof a phosphoric triester of the general formula (1) as an efficacyimproving agent for a skin activating component.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0016] The phosphoric triester of the component (A) used in the presentinvention is a compound represented by the general formula (1).

[0017] Examples of the linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 8carbon atoms represented by R¹ and R² in the general formula (1) includemethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, n-pentyl,n-hexyl, heptyl, octyl and n-ethylhexyl groups. Of these, those having 2to 6 carbon atoms are preferred, with those having 2 to 4 carbon atomsbeing particularly preferred from the viewpoints of low irritativenessand a good feeling upon use. R¹ and R² may be the same or different fromeach other from the viewpoint of the performance of the phosphorictriester, but are preferably the same from the viewpoint of easysynthesis.

[0018] Examples of the linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4carbon atoms represented by R³ in the general formula (1) includemethyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl and isobutyl groups. Ofthese, ethyl and n-butyl groups are preferred, with ethyl group beingparticularly preferred.

[0019] Examples of the linear or branched alkylene groups having 2 or 3carbon atoms represented by X, Y and Z in the general formula (1)include ethylene, trimethylene and propylene groups. Of these, theethylene group is preferred. The numbers of 1 to 10 represented by l, mand n indicate average numbers of moles of XO, YO and ZO added,respectively. The portions of (XO)_(l), (YO)_(m) and (ZO)_(n) may beeach single or have a distribution. l and m are each preferably a numberof 1 to 5, more preferably 1 to 4, particularly 2 or 3. n is preferably0 or a number of 1 to 5, more preferably 0 or 1 to 4.

[0020] Preferable examples of the phosphoric triester of the component(A) include those in which in the general formula (1), R¹, R² and R³ areindependently an alkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, X, Y and Z areall ethylene groups, and l, m and n are independently a number of 1 to4. In the general formula (1), those are also preferred wherein R¹ andR² are independently an alkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, X and Yare both ethylene groups, n is a number of 0, and l and m areindependently a number of 1 to 5.

[0021] The phosphoric triester (1) can be synthesized by reacting 3alcohols represented by R¹O—(X—O)_(l)—H, R²O—(Y—O)_(m)—H andR³O—(Z—O)_(n)—H (when two or all of the three groups of the intendedproduct are the same, two or one alcohol thereof) together orsuccessively with a phosphorus oxyhalide, for example, phosphorusoxychloride either directly or in the presence of a base in accordancewith a publicly known method.

[0022] No solvent may be used specially. If used, examples thereofinclude ether solvents, aliphatic hydrocarbons, alicyclic hydrocarbonsand aromatic hydrocarbons.

[0023] Examples of the base usable in this reaction include organictertiary amines such as triethylamine, tributylamine and pyridine, andalkali metal hydroxides such as sodium hydroxide and potassiumhydroxide.

[0024] Specific examples of the phosphoric triester (1) of the component(A) include the following compounds:

[0025] (a) tris(butoxyethyl) phosphate, (b) tris(butoxyethoxyethyl)phosphate, (c) tris(butoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate, (d)tris(ethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate, (e) tris(ethoxyethoxyethoxyethyl)phosphate, (f) tris(methoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate, (g)tris(methoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate,

[0026] The phosphoric triesters may be used as the component (A) eithersingly or in any combination thereof and are preferably incorporated ina proportion of 1 to 50% by weight, more preferably 2 to 25% by weight,particularly 5 to 20% by weight based on the total weight of thecosmetic composition.

[0027] The skin activating component of the component (B) used in thepresent invention is a substance having some effect on the skin, forexample, moisturizing effect, skin-softening effect, whitening effect,anti-inflammatory effect, anti-oxidant effect, bloodcirculation-facilitating effect, sebum secretion-inhibiting effect, etc.No particular limitation is imposed on such activating components so faras they are various kinds of activating ingredients commonly used in theclassical cosmetic products, quasi-drugs, drugs and the like. Examplesthereof include ceramides, pseudoceramides, hydrophilic moisturizers,amino acids, plant extracts, whitening agents, anti-inflammatory agents,singlet oxygen scavengers, antioxidants, water-soluble polymers,alcohols, sterols, blood circulation-facilitating agents, sebumsecretion inhibitors, anti-microbial agents, keratolytic agents, etc.

[0028] Of these, the ceramides are publicly known compounds representedby the following general formula (2):

[0029] wherein R⁴ and R⁵ are the same or different from each other andindependently a linear or branched and saturated or unsaturatedhydrocarbon group having 8 to 26 carbon atoms.

[0030] R⁴ is preferably a linear alkyl group having 15 to 23 carbonatoms, particularly a pentadecyl, heptadecyl or tricosyl group, while R⁵is preferably a linear and saturated or unsaturated alkyl or alkenylgroup having 15 to 23 carbon atoms, particularly a pentadecyl,heptadecyl or heptadecenyl group.

[0031] Examples of the pseudoceramides include those represented by thefollowing general formulae (3) to (7):

[0032] wherein R⁶ is a linear or branched and saturated or unsaturatedhydrocarbon group having 10 to 26 carbon atoms, R⁷ is a linear orbranched and saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon group having 9 to 25carbon atoms, and Y¹ and Z¹ are independently a hydrogen atom orhydroxyl group, a is a number of 0 or 1, c is a number of 0 to 4, and band c are independently a number of 0 to 3;

[0033] wherein R⁸ and R⁹ are the same or different from each other andindependently a linear or branched and saturated or unsaturatedhydrocarbon group having 1 to 40 carbon atoms, which may behydroxylated, R¹⁰ is a linear or branched alkylene group having 1 to 6carbon atoms or a single bond, and R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom, a linear orbranched alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms or a2,3-dihydroxy-propyloxy group, with the proviso that when R¹⁰ is asingle bond, R¹¹ is a hydrogen atom;

[0034] wherein R^(8a) is a hydrocarbon group having 4 to 40 carbonatoms, which may be hydroxylated, R^(10a) is a linear or branchedalkylene group having 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and R^(11a) is a linear orbranched alkoxy group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms;

[0035] wherein R⁸, R⁹, R^(9a) and R^(10a) have the same meanings asdefined above; and

[0036] wherein R⁸, R⁹ and R¹⁰ have the same meanings as defined above,and R^(11b) is a hydrogen atom, a linear or branched alkoxy group having1 to 12 carbon atoms or a 2,3-epoxypropyloxy group, with the provisothat when R¹⁰ is a single bond, R^(11b) is a hydrogen atom.

[0037] These pseudoceramides can be prepared in accordance with thepublicly known methods [for example, Polish Journal of Chemistry, 52,1059 (1978); ibid., 52, 1283 (1978); Japanese Patent ApplicationLaid-Open Nos. 117421/1979, 144308/1979, 147937/1979, 228048/1987,216852/1988 and 319263/1996].

[0038] R⁶ is preferably a linear saturated alkyl group having 11 to 18carbon atoms, particularly a tetradecyl, hexadecyl or octadecyl group,while R⁷ is preferably a linear saturated alkyl group having 9 to 18carbon atoms, particularly a nonyl, pentadecyl or heptadecyl group.

[0039] R⁸ and R^(8a) are each preferably a linear or branched alkyl oralkenyl group having 8 to 26 carbon atoms, while R⁹ is preferably alinear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 9 to 25 carbon atoms.

[0040] R¹⁰ and R^(10a) are each preferably a linear alkylene grouphaving 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Of these groups, methylene, ethylene andtrimethylene groups are particularly preferred.

[0041] R¹¹, R^(11a) and R^(11b) are each preferably a hydrogen atom, analkoxy group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms or a 2,3-dihydroxypropyloxygroup.

[0042] These ceramides and pseudoceramides may be used either singly orin any combination thereof and are incorporated in a proportion of 0.01to 50% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. It ismore preferable to incorporate them in a proportion of particularly 0.01to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 10% by weight from theviewpoints of a feeling upon use, the moisturizing effect, the effectsof preventing and remedying skin roughness, the effects of preventingdevelopment of wrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin, and stability.

[0043] Of the skin activating ingredients as the component (B), examplesof the anti-microbial agents include sulfur, triclosan,trichlorocarbanilide, chlorhexidine hydrochloride, benzalkoniumchloride, benzethonium chloride, cetylpyridinium chloride, benzalkoniumalkylphosphates, isopropylmethylphenol, benzoic acid, photosensitiveelement No. 201 and resorcin. Of these, isopropylmethylphenol isparticularly preferred. When these anti-microbial agents areincorporated, it is preferable to incorporate them in a proportion of0.0001 to 5% by weight, particularly 0.001 to 2% by weight, morepreferably 0.01 to 1% by weight based on the total weight of thecomposition.

[0044] Of the skin activating ingredients as the component (B), examplesof the keratolytic agents include salicylic acid, N-acetylcysteine,lactic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, alkylamine oxidesand benzoyl peroxide. Of these, salicylic acid and citric acid areparticularly preferred. When these keratolytic agents are incorporated,it is preferable to incorporate them in a proportion of 0.01 to 10% byweight, particularly 0.1 to 1% by weight based on the total weight ofthe composition.

[0045] Of the skin activating ingredients as the component (B), as theamino acids or salts thereof are preferred arginine, lysine,hydroxylysine and histidine, with arginine being particularly preferred.

[0046] These amino acids or salts thereof may be used either singly orin any combination thereof and are preferably incorporated in aproportion of 0.0001 to 15% by weight based on the total weight of thecomposition. It is more preferable to incorporate them in a proportionof particularly 0.001 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 8% byweight from the viewpoints of the moisturizing effect, the effects ofpreventing development of wrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin, theeffects of preventing and remedying skin roughness, a feeling upon use,and stability.

[0047] Of the skin activating ingredients as the component (B), examplesof the plant extracts include those obtained from plants such asAngelica keiskei, adzuki bean, catechu, avocado, hydrangea, Gynostemmapentaphyllum, althea, altheca, arnica, almond, aloe, apricot, nettle,iris, fennel, turmeric, rose fruit, pothos vine, Amur cork tree,goldthread, barley, gumbo, Saint-John's-wort, dead nettle, pettywhite-root, watercress, persimmon, puerariae root, Valeriana fauriei,birch, cattail, chamomile, chamomilla, oats, licorice, raspberry, kiwi,quinine tree, cucumber, apricot, coconut, Cape jasmine, Sasaalbo-marginata, walnut, cinnamon, mulberry, GUNJO, gentian, cranesbill,sweet grass (Magnoliae cortex), ginseng, burdock, sesame, wheat, commoncomfrey, rice, Camellia sasanqua, saffron, Nippon hawthorn, Japanesepepper tree, mushroom, Rehmannia glutinosa, prop root, beefsteak plant,Japanese linden, Japanese spiraea, Paeoniae radix, ginger, ginger root,calamus, white birch, Japanese honeysuckle, field horsetail, Steviarebaudiana Bertoni, western ivy, western hawthorn, elder, needlejuniper, milfoil, mint, sage, common mallow, Cnidii rhizoma, Japanesegreen gentian, mulberry bark, soybean, Zizyphi fructus, thyme, tea,clove, dried orange peal, evening primrose, camellia, Centella asiatica,English walnut, Angelica acutiloba, pot marigold, ginseng, spruce, corn,Houttuynia cordata, tomato, carrot, garlic, wild rose, malt, ophopogontuber, parsley, rye, adlay, Japanese mint, papaya, hamamelis, rose,white cedar, sunflower, loquat, coltsfoot, grapes, placenta, hazelnut,dishcloth gourd, safflower, Tilia europaea L, peony, hop, macadamia nut,pine, pinecorn, marronnier, melissa, melilot, peach, malt, Rodger'sbronze leaf, palm, eucalyptus, creeping saxifrage, lily, Coicis semen,mugwort, rye, peanut, lavender, apple, litchi, lettuce, lemon, Chinesemilk vetch, rosemary, scopolia, camomile, artemisia capillaris,agrimony, Japanese catalpa, Thujopsis dolabrata, HORUTOSO, Isodonjaponicus Hara, orange pease, SENKISHI, chickweed, duckweed, mugwort,ginkgo, Chinese bellflower, chrysanthemum, Sasa albo-marginata,soapberry and weeping golden bell.

[0048] These plant extracts may be used either singly or in anycombination thereof and are preferably incorporated in a proportion of0.00001 to 20% by weight in terms of dry solids, based on the totalweight of the composition. It is more preferable to incorporate them ina proportion of particularly 0.0001 to 10% by weight, more preferably0.0001 to 5% by weight, since a cosmetic composition which has amoisturizing effect, the effects of preventing development of wrinklesand remedying the wrinkled skin, the effects of preventing and remedyingskin roughness, the effects of preventing the firm and resilient skinfrom declining and remedying the declined skin, the effects ofpreventing a complexion from dulling and remedying a dull looking face,and the effects of preventing and remedying spots and freckles, givesusers a more pleasant feeling upon use, and has far excellent stabilitycan be provided.

[0049] When the extracts from one or more plants selected from amongchamomile, tea, puerariae root, clove, licorice, loquat, spruce,ginseng, Paeoniae radix, Nippon hawthorn, ophopogon tuber, ginger root,pinecorn, mulberry bark, sweet grass, artemisia capillaris, catechu,pothos vine, aloe, althea, Japanese spiraea, watercress, quinine tree,common comfrey, rosemary and scopolia of these plant extracts are used,the whitening effect is synergistically enhanced, and so spots andfreckles can be effectively prevented and remedied, and moreover themoisturizing effect and the effects of preventing and remedying skinroughness may also be markedly enhanced.

[0050] When the extracts from field horsetail, gentian, hamamelis,peony, agrimony, Japanese catalpa, Thujopsis dolabrata, ORUTOSO, Isodonjaponicus Hara and orange pease of these plant extracts are used, theeffect of preventing dermal aging is synergistically enhanced, and sodevelopment of wrinkles can be effectively prevented and the wrinkledskin can be effectively remedied, and moreover the moisturizing effectand the effects of preventing and remedying skin roughness may also bemarkedly enhanced.

[0051] No particular limitation is imposed on the whitening agents asthe component (B) so far as they are those commonly used in theclassical cosmetics, and examples thereof include L-ascorbic acid andderivatives thereof, hydroquinone derivatives such as arbutin, kojicacid and derivatives thereof, and placenta extracts.

[0052] These whitening agents may be used either singly or in anycombination thereof and are preferably incorporated in a proportion of0.01 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Itis more preferable to incorporate them in a proportion of particularly0.01 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 5% by weight, since acosmetic composition which has a sufficient whitening effect, givesusers a more pleasant feeling upon use, and has excellent stability canbe provided.

[0053] Of the skin activating ingredients as the component (B), examplesof the anti-inflammatory agents include glycyrrhizic acid and saltsthereof, glycyrrhetinic acid and salts thereof, isopropylaminocapronicacid and salts thereof, allantoin, lysozyme hydrochloride, guaiazulene,methyl salicylate and γ-oryzanol. Of these, glycyrrhetinic acid, stearylglycyrrhetinate and ε-aminocapronic acid are preferred.

[0054] These anti-inflammatory agents may be used either singly or inany combination thereof and are preferably incorporated in a proportionof 0.001 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.It is more preferable to incorporate them in a proportion ofparticularly 0.01 to 2% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 1% by weightfrom the viewpoints of bringing about the high effects of preventingdevelopment of wrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin, and of afeeling upon use and stability.

[0055] Of the skin activating ingredients as the component (B), examplesof the singlet oxygen scavengers or antioxidants include carotenoidessuch as α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, cryptoxanthin, lutein,zeaxanthin, isozeaxanthin, rhodoxanthin, capsanthin and crocetin;1,4-diazacyclooctane, 2,5-dimethylfuran, 2-methylfuran,2,5-diphenylfuran, 1,3-diphenylisobenzofuran, α-tocopherol,β-tocopherol, γ-tocopherol, d-tocopherol, histidine, tryptophan,methionine and alanine or alkyl esters thereof; tannins such asdibutylhydroxytoluene, butylhydroxyanisole, ascorbic acid, tannic acid,epicatechin, epicarocatechin, epicatechin gallate and epicarocatechingallate; and flavonoids such as rutin.

[0056] Of these, carotenes, tocopherols, ascorbic acid, tannic acid,epicatechin gallate and epicarocatechin gallate are preferred.

[0057] These singlet oxygen scavengers or antioxidants may be usedeither singly or in any combination thereof and are preferablyincorporated in a proportion of 0.001 to 5% by weight based on the totalweight of the composition. It is more preferable to incorporate them ina proportion of particularly 0.01 to 2% by weight, more preferably 0.01to 1% by weight from the viewpoints of bringing about the high effectsof preventing development of wrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin,and of a feeling upon use and stability.

[0058] Of the skin activating ingredients as the component (B), examplesof the water-soluble polymers include polysaccharides, acrylic polymers,etc. As the polysaccharides, acid polysaccharides are preferred, withmodified hetero-polysaccharides described in, for example, JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open No. 10997/1989 being particularlypreferred.

[0059] Examples of the acrylic polymers include Carbopol 941, 981, 940,980, 1342 and 1382; Pemulane TR-1 and TR-2, and Sepigel 305.

[0060] Examples of other water-soluble polymers include guar gum, quinceseed, carrageenan, locust bean gum, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, pectin,mannan, starch, sodium alginate, sodium hyaluronate, xanthan gum,pullulan, dextran, curdlan, collagen, keratin, casein, albumin, gelatin,chondroitin sulfate, chitin, cationic cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose,hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride ether, carboxymethylcellulose, dextran sulfate, carboxymethyl chitin, soluble starch,carboymethyl starch, propylene glycol alginate, polyvinyl alcohol,polyvinyl pyrrolidone, sodium polyacrylate and poly(vinyl methyl ether).Of these, xanthan gum, sodium hyaluronate and hydroxyethyl cellulose areparticularly preferred.

[0061] These water-soluble polymers may be used either singly or in anycombination thereof and are preferably incorporated in a proportion of0.0001 to 30% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Itis more preferable to incorporate them in a proportion of particularly0.001 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 15% by weight, since acosmetic composition which is excellent in the moisturizing effect, theeffects of preventing and remedying skin roughness, and the effects ofpreventing and remedying spots and freckles, gives users a more pleasantfeeling upon use, and has excellent stability can be provided.

[0062] Of the skin activating ingredients as the component (B), examplesof the alcohols include higher alcohols. Of these, cetanol and stearylalcohols are particularly preferred.

[0063] These higher alcohols may be used either singly or in anycombination thereof and are preferably incorporated in a proportion of0.01 to 20% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Itis more preferable to incorporate them in a proportion of particularly0.05 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight, since acosmetic composition which is enhanced in the moisturizing effect, theeffects of preventing and remedying skin roughness, and the effects ofpreventing and remedying spots and freckles, gives users a more pleasantfeeling upon use, and has excellent stability can be provided.

[0064] Of the skin activating ingredients as the component (B), examplesof the water-soluble moisturizers include polyhydric alcohols, aminoacids, sodium pyrrolidonecarboxylate, urea, lactic acid, hyaluronic acidand chemically modified collagen. Examples of the polyhydric alcoholsinclude glycols such as ethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, polyethyleneglycol, polypropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol andbutylene glycol; glycerol and polyglycerols such as diglycerol,triglycerol and tetraglycerol; and glucose, maltose, maltitol, sucrose,fructose, xylitol, sorbitol, maltotriose, threitol, erythritol, alcoholsobtained by reduction of amylolytic sugar, sorbit and polyoxyalkylenealkylglucosides. Of these, glycols, glycerol and 1,3-propanediol areparticularly preferred.

[0065] When one or more alcohols selected from among, in particular,polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propyleneglycol and butylene glycol of the above-mentioned glycols areincorporated, a cosmetic composition which is extremely high inmoisturizing effect and can retain the effect longer can be provided.

[0066] These moisturizers may be used either singly or in anycombination thereof and are preferably incorporated in a proportion of0.001 to 90% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. Itis more preferable to incorporate them in a proportion of particularly0.01 to 50% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 20% by weight, since acosmetic composition which is enhanced in the moisturizing effect, theeffects of preventing and remedying skin roughness, and the effects ofpreventing development of wrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin,gives users a more pleasant feeling upon use, and has excellentstability can be provided.

[0067] The combined use of one or more of the above-described glycolswith any other moisturizer having a solubility of at least 10% byweight, particularly at least 20% by weight in said glycols at 20° C. ispreferred, since the resultant cosmetic composition can retained themoisturizing effect still longer.

[0068] Examples of the moisturizer having a solubility of at least 10%by weight in said glycols include natural moisturizing factors such asglycerol, sorbitol, maltitol, amino acids, sodiumpyrrolidonecarboxylate, urea and lactic acid; and hyaluronic acid andchemically modified collagen. These moisturizers are preferablyincorporated in a proportion of 0.1 to 25% by weight, particularly 1 to20% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0069] No particular limitation is imposed on the sterols of the skinactivating ingredients as the component (B). However, preferableexamples thereof include cholesterol, cholesteryl isostearate andcholesteryl alkenylsuccinates (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.294989/1993).

[0070] These sterols may be used either singly or in any combinationthereof and are preferably incorporated in a proportion of 0.001 to 50%by weight based on the total weight of the composition. It is morepreferable to incorporate them in a proportion of particularly 0.005 to30% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 20% by weight, since a cosmeticcomposition which is enhanced in the moisturizing effect, the effects ofpreventing and remedying skin roughness, and the effects of preventingdevelopment of wrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin, gives users amore pleasant feeling upon use, and has excellent stability can beprovided.

[0071] As the blood circulation-facilitating agents of the skinactivating ingredients as the component (B), those commonly used in theclassical cosmetic products, quasi-drugs, drugs and the like may be usedas they are. In particular, examples of compounds used as such agentsinclude esterified products, nicotinate and orotate of vitamin E, whichare described as vasodilators in Japanese Patent Application Laid-OpenNo. 87506/1987; esterified products, acetate and succinate of vitamin E,which are described as periphery circulation-facilitating agents inJapanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 195316/1987; and besidesnicotinic acid amide, methyl nicotinate and the like.

[0072] As plant extracts having a blood circulation-facilitating effect,there may be used extracts which are clearly described as having a bloodcirculation-facilitating effect in “Fragrance Journal, Extra EditionVol. 6 (1986)” and “Fragrance Journal, Extra Edition Vol. 1 (1979)”, forexample, plant extracts from arnica, Nippon hawthorn, quinine tree,scarlet sage, Tilia europaea L, Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer, juniper,rosemary, Saint-John's-wort, ginkgo, melissa, petty white-root,marronnier, Japanese green gentian, garlic, chamomile, cyme, Japanesemint, nettle, red pepper, ginger, hop, horse chestnut, lavender, carrot,brown mustard, cinnamon, pine, Cnidii rhizoma, elder, Japanese parsley,Scopolia japonica Maxlm, peony, myrica, Houttuynia cordata, candock,astringent persimmon, pot marigold, field poppy, gentian, grapes,Glehnia littoralis, bitter orange, citron, calamus, Watson pomelo,hamamelis, melilot, fennel, Japanese pepper tree, Paeoniae radix,eucalyptus, mugwort, Isodon japonicus Hara, rice, saphorae radix, gingerand clove.

[0073] These blood circulation-facilitating agents may be used eithersingly or in any combination thereof and are preferably incorporated ina proportion of generally 0.001 to 5% by weight in terms of activeingredients (dry solids in the case of plant extracts), based on thetotal weight of the composition. It is more preferable to incorporatethem in a proportion of particularly 0.01 to 5% by weight, morepreferably 0.05 to 3% by weight, since a cosmetic composition which isenhanced in the effects of preventing the firm and resilient skin fromdeclining and remedying the declined skin, the effects of preventing acomplexion from dulling and remedying a dull looking face, moisturizingeffect, the effects of preventing and remedying skin roughness, theeffects of preventing development of wrinkles and remedying the wrinkledskin, and the effects of preventing and remedying spots and freckles,gives users a more pleasant feeling upon use, and has far excellentstability can be provided.

[0074] As the sebum secretion inhibitors of the skin activatingingredients as the component (B), may be used, for example,anti-androgenic agents, crude drug extracts, astringents, hydroxy-fattyacids and the like, which are printed in “Fragrance Journal, No. 10(1994)” and are in common use as sebum secretion inhibitors.

[0075] Specifically, examples of the anti-androgenic agents includeoxendolone, 17-α-methyl-β-nortestosterone, chlormadinone acetate,cyproterone acetate, spironolactone, hydroxyflutamide, estradiol andethinyl estradiol.

[0076] Examples of the crude drug extracts include extracts from leavesof walnut, pothos vine, sage, hop, rosemary, Saint-John's-wort, Japanesemint, chamomile, cashew, goldthread, Amur cork tree, OREI, houttuyniaeherba, dried orange peal, carrot, Paeoniae radix, mat rush, propolis,alismatis rhizoma, tannin, hamamelis, peony and birch tar, and royaljelly and yeast extract.

[0077] Examples of the astringents include zinc sulfocarbolate, zincoxide, aluminum hydroxychloride and (allantoinato)dihydroxyaluminum.

[0078] Examples of the hydroxy-fatty acids include 10-hydroxyundecanoicacid and 12-hydroxystearic acid.

[0079] Besides, vitamin B₆, 13-cis-retinoic acid, vitamin E,glycyrrhetinic acid, salicylic acid, nicotinic acid, calciumpantothenate, dicalcium azelate and the like may also be used as thesebum secretion inhibitors.

[0080] Of these, estradiol, zinc sulfocarbolate, zinc oxide, royaljelly, 10-hydroxyundecanoic acid and 12-hydroxy-stearic acid areparticularly preferred.

[0081] When these sebum secretion inhibitors are incorporated, it ispreferable to incorporate them in a proportion of particularly 0.01-10%by weight, more preferably 0.1-5% by weight (in terms of dry solids inthe case of crude drug extracts) based on the total weight of thecomposition.

[0082] No particular limitation is imposed on the softening agents.However, examples thereof include a-hydroxy acids such asα-hydroxyisobutyric acid, α-hydroxyisocaproic acid, α-hydroxy-n-capronicacid, α-hydroxyisocaprylic acid, α-hydroxy-n-caprylic acid,α-hydroxy-n-capric acid, lactic acid, α-hydroxystearic acid, citric acidand glycolic acid; amines such as ε-aminocaproic acid, urea,2-hydroxy-guanidine and 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)ethylguanidine; and besidepeptides described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos.99315/1987 and 178207/1990, and trimethylglycine described in JapanesePatent Application Laid-Open No. 293625/1994.

[0083] These softening agents are preferably incorporated in aproportion of 0.05 to 10% by weight, particularly 0.2 to 5% by weightbased on the total weight of the composition.

[0084] As the skin activating component of the component (B), theabove-described various ingredients may be used either singly or in anycombination thereof. The total amount thereof is preferably 5 to 60% byweight, particularly 10 to 40% by weight based on the total weight ofthe composition.

[0085] Into the cosmetics according to the present invention, variouskinds of optional ingredients commonly used in the classical cosmeticproducts, quasi-drugs, drugs and the like may be suitably incorporatedin addition to the above-described essential components, as needed, sofar as no detrimental influence is thereby imposed on the effects of thepresent invention. Examples of such optional ingredients includepurified water, ethanol, surfactants, oily ingredients, silicones,fluorine-containing oily substances, ultraviolet protecting agents,powder, oil gelling agents, film-forming agents, pH adjusters, inorganicsalts, antiseptics, chelating agents, coloring matter and perfume bases.

[0086] The cosmetics according to the present invention can be preparedin accordance with a method known per se in the art. The cosmeticsaccording to the present invention are not limited to general cosmeticskin-care compositions, and include quasi-drugs, external skin-caredrugs and the like. The preparation forms thereof may also be optionallyselected as necessary for the end application intended.

[0087] As the cosmetics according to the present invention, may beformulated cosmetic compositions of various forms including, forexample, water/oil type emulsified cosmetics, oil/water type emulsifiedcosmetics, creams, cosmetic emulsions, toilet waters, oily cosmetics,packs, lip sticks, foundations, skin cleansers, hair tonics, hairdressing compositions, hair grooming compositions, hair growthstimulants, etc.

EXAMPLES

[0088] The present invention will hereinafter be described morespecifically by the following Examples. However, the present inventionis not limited to these Examples. Incidentally, all designations of “%”as will be used in the following examples mean % by weight unlessexpressly noted, and the incorporated amounts of plant extracts used inthe examples were all expressed in terms of dry solids.

[0089] Example 1

[0090] Cosmetics of their corresponding formulations shown in Tables 1to 6 were prepared in accordance with a method known per se in the art.The cosmetics thus obtained were used to evaluate them as to themoisturizing effect on the skin, the effects of preventing and remedyingskin roughness, the effects of preventing the firm and resilient skinfrom declining and remedying the declined skin, the effects ofpreventing a complexion from dulling and remedying a dull looking face,the effects of preventing and remedying the conspicuousness of pores ofthe skin and pimples caused by excess sebum, microorganisms orkeratonosis, the effects of preventing development of wrinkles andremedying the wrinkled skin, the effects of preventing and remedyingspots and freckles, and a feeling upon use. The results are shown inTables 1 to 6.

[0091] (Evaluation Method)

[0092] Moisturizing effect on the skin, the effects of preventing andremedying skin roughness, the effects of preventing the firm andresilient skin from declining and remedying the declined skin, theeffects of preventing a complexion from dulling and remedying a dulllooking face, the effects of preventing and remedying theconspicuousness of pores of the skin and pimples caused by excess sebum,microorganisms or keratonosis, the effects of preventing development ofwrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin, the effects of preventing andremedying spots and freckles, and a feeling upon use:

[0093] Twenty expert panelists were got to use each of the cosmetics,thereby organoleptically evaluating it in accordance with the followingstandard:

[0094] ⊚: At least sixteen of 20 panelists judged to be good;

[0095] ∘: Eleven to fifteen of 20 panelists judged to be good;

[0096] Δ: Six to ten of 20 panelists judged to be good;

[0097] ×: At most five of 20 panelists judged to be good. TABLE 1Invention product Component (%) 1 2 3  (1) Tris(butoxyethyl) phosphate10 — —  (2) Tris(butoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — 10 —  (3)Tris(butoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — 10  (4)Tris(ethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (5)Tris(ethoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (6)Tris(methoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (7)Tris(methoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (8) Polyoxyethylene (60)hydrogenated castor 2 2 2  oil (9) Ceramide¹⁾ 3 — — (10)Pseudoceramide²⁾ — 3 — (11) Pseudoceramide³⁾ — — 3 (12) Glycerol 5 — 5(13) 1,3-Butylene glycol — 5 — (14) Arginine 0.5 0.5 0.5 (15) Hamamelisextract⁴⁾ 1 — — (16) Peony extract⁵⁾ — 1 — (17) Thujopsis dolabrataextract⁶⁾ — — 1 (18) Chamomile extract⁷⁾ 0.5 0.5 0.5 (19) Tea extract⁸⁾0.5 0.5 0.5 (20) Magnesium L-ascorbic acid phosphate 2 — — (21) Arbutin— 2 — (22) Kojic acid — — 2 (23) Stearyl glycyrrhetinate 0.1 0.1 0.1(24) Cetanol 0.3 0.3 0.3 (25) Stearyl alcohol 0.2 0.2 0.2 (26) Acidhetero-polysaccharide⁹⁾ 0.1 0.1 0.1 (27) Acrylic polymer (Carbopol 981)0.3 0.3 0.3 (28) Cholesterol 1.0 1.0 1.0 (29) dl-α-Tocopherol 0.5 0.50.5 (30) dl-α-Tocopherol nicotinate 1 — — (31) Nicotinic acid amide — 1— (32) dl-α-Tocopherol acetate — — 1 (33) Maronnier extract¹⁰⁾ — — —(34) Rice germ oil — — — (35) Zinc sulfocarbolate 1 — — (36) Royal jelly— 1 — (37) 10-Hydroxyundecanoic acid — — 1 (38) Isopropylmethylphenol —— — (39) Salicylic acid — — — (40) Ethanol 5.0 5.0 5.0 (41) Perfume base0.1 0.1 0.1 (42) Purified water Bal. Bal. Bal. Moisturizing effect ∘ ∘ ∘Effects of preventing and remedying skin roughness ∘ ∘ ∘ Effects ofpreventing the firm and resilient skin ∘ ∘ ∘ from declining, remedyingthe declined skin, preventing a complexion from dulling and remedying adull looking face Effects of preventing and remedying the ∘ ∘ ∘conspicuousness of pores of the skin and pimples Effects of preventingdevelorment of wrinkles and ∘ ∘ ∘ remedying the wrinkled skin Effects ofpreventing and remedying spots and ∘ ∘ ∘ freckles Feeling upon use ∘ ∘ ∘

[0098] TABLE 2 Invention product Component (%) 4 5 6  (1)Tris(butoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (2) Tris(butoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate— — —  (3) Tris (butoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (4)Tris(ethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate 10 — —  (5) Tris(ethoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — 10 —  (6) Tris(methoxyethoxyethyl)phosphate — — 10  (7) Tris (methoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — — (8) Polyoxyethylene (60) hydrogenated castor 2 2 2  oil  (9) Ceramide¹⁾3 — — (10) Pseudoceramide²⁾ — 3 — (11) Pseudoceramide³⁾ — — 3 (12)Glycerol — 5 — (13) 1,3-Butylene glycol 5 — 5 (14) Arginine 0.5 0.5 0.5(15) Hamamelis extract⁵⁾ 1 — — (16) Peony extract⁵⁾ — 1 — (17) Thujopsisdolabrata extract⁶⁾ — — 1 (18) chamomile extract⁷⁾ 0.5 0.5 0.5 (19) Teaextract⁸⁾ 0.5 0.5 0.5 (20) Magnesium L-ascorbic acid phosphate 2 — —(21) Arbutin — 2 — (22) Kojic acid — — 2 (23) Stearyl glycyrrhetinate0.1 0.1 0.1 (24) Cetanol 0.3 0.3 0.3 (25) Stearyl alcohol 0.2 0.2 0.2(26) Acid hetero-polysaccharide⁹⁾ 0.1 0.1 0.1 (27) Acrylic polymer(Carbopol 981) 0.3 0.3 0.3 (28) cholesterol 1.0 1.0 1.0 (29)dl-α-Tocopherol 0.5 0.5 0.5 (30) dl-α-Tocopherol nicotinate — — 1 (31)Nicotinic acid arriide — — — (32) dl-α-Tocopherol acetate — — — (33)Maronnier extract¹⁰⁾ 1 — — (34) Rice germ oil — 1 — (35) Zincsulfocarbolate — — — (36) Royal jelly — — — (37) 10-Hydroxyundecanoicacid — — 1 (38) Isopropylmethylphenol 0.1 — — (39) Salicylic acid — 0.1— (40) Ethanol 5.0 5.0 5.0 (41) Perfume base 0.1 0.1 0.1 (42) Purifiedwater Bal. Bal. Bal. Moisturizing effect ⊚ ⊚ ⊚ Effects of preventing andremedying skin roughness ⊚ ⊚ ⊚ Effects of preventing the firm andresilient skin ⊚ ⊚ ⊚ from declining, remedying the declined skin,preventing a complexion from dulling and remedying a dull looking faceEffects of preventing and remedying the ⊚ ⊚ ⊚ conspicuousness of poresof the skin and pimples Effects of preventing development of wrinklesand ⊚ ⊚ ⊚ remedying the wrinkled skin Effects of preventing andremedying spots and ⊚ ⊚ ⊚ freckles Feeling upon use ⊚ ⊚ ⊚

[0099] TABLE 3 Invention product Component (%) 7  (1) Tris(butoxyethyl)phosphate —  (2) Tris(butoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate —  (3)Tris(butoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate —  (4) Tris(ethoxyethoxyethyl)phosphate —  (5) Tris(ethoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate —  (6)Tris(methoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate —  (7) Tris(methoxyethoxyethoxyethyl)phosphate 10  (8) Polyoxyeth,ylene (60) hydrogenated castor oil 2  (9)Ceramide 3 (10) Pseudoceramide²⁾ — (11) Pseudoceramide³ — (12) Glycerol5 (13) 1,3-Butylene glycol — (14) Arginine 0.5 (15) Hamamelis extract⁴⁾1 (16) Peony extract⁵⁾ — (17) Thujopsis dolabrata extract⁶⁾ — (18)Chamomile extract⁷⁾ 0.5 (19) Tea extract⁸⁾ 0.5 (20) Magnesium L-ascorbicacid phosphate 2 (21) Arbutin — (22) Kojic acid — (23) Stearylglycyrrhetinate 0.1 (24) Cetanol 0.3 (25) Stearyl alcohol 0.2 (26) Acidhetero-polysaccharide⁹⁾ 0.1 (27) Acrylic polymer (Carbopol 981) 0.3 (28)Cholesterol 1.0 (29) dl-α-Tocopherol 0.5 (30) d1-α-Tocopherol nicotinate— (31) Nicotinic acid amide 1 (32) dl-αTocopherol acetate — (33)Maronnier extract¹⁰⁾ — (34) Rice germ oil — (35) Zinc sulfocarbolate 1(36) Royal jelly — (37) 10-Hydroxyundecanoic acid — (38)Isopropylmethylphenol — (39) Salicylic acid — (40) Ethanol 5.0 (41)Perfume base 0.1 (42) Purified water Balance Moisturizing effect ⊚Effects of preventing and remedying skin roughness ⊚ Effects ofpreventing the firm and resilient skin from ⊚ declining, remedying thedeclined skin, preventing a complexion from dulling and remedying a dulllooking face Effects of preventing and remedying the ⊚ conspicuousnessof pores of the skin and pimples Effects of preventing development ofwrinkles and ⊚ remedying the wrinkled skin Effects of preventing andremedying spots and freckles ⊚ Feeling upon use ⊚

[0100] TABLE 4 Comparative product Component (%) 1 2 3  (1)Tris(butoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (2) Tris(butoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate— — —  (3) Tris(butoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (4)Tris(ethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (5)Tris(ethoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (6)Tris(methoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (7) Tris(methoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (8) Polyoxyethylene (60)hydrogenated castor 2 2 2  oil  (9) Ceramide¹⁾ 3 — 3 (10)Pseudoceramide²⁾ — — — (11) Pseudoceramide³⁾ — — — (12) Glycerol — — 5(13) 1,3-Butylene glycol 5 — — (14) Argininne 0.5 0.5 0.5 (15) Hamamelisextract⁴⁾ 1 1 — (16) Peony extract⁵⁾ — — 1 (17) Thujopsis dolabrataextract⁶⁾ — — — (18) Chamomile extract⁷⁾ 0.5 0.5 0.5 (19) Tea extract⁸⁾0.5 0.5 0.5 (20) Magnesium L-ascorbic acid phosphate 2 — — (21) Arbutin— 2 — (22) Kojic acid — — 2 (23) Stearyl glycyrrhetinate 0.1 0.1 0.1(24) Cetanol 0.3 0.3 0.3 (25) Stearyl alcohol 0.2 0.2 0.2 (26) Acidhetero-polysaccharide⁹⁾ 0.1 0.1 0.1 (27) Acrylic polymer (Carbopol 981)0.3 0.3 0.3 (28) Cholesterol 1.0 1.0 1.0 (29) dl-α-Tocopherol 0.5 0.50.5 (30) dl-α-Tocopherol nicotinate 1 — — (31) Nicotinic acid amide — 1— (32) dl-α-Tocopherol acetate — — 1 (33) Maronnier extract¹⁰⁾ — — —(34) Rice germ oil — — — (35) Zinc sulfocarbolate 1 — — (36) Royal jelly— 1 — (37) 10-Hydroxyundecanoic acid — — 1 (38) Isopropylmethylphenol —— — (39) Salicylic acid — — — (40) Ethanol 5.0 5.0 5.0 (41) Perfume base0.1 0.1 0.1 (42) Purified water Bal. Bal. Bal. Moisturizing effect ◯ Δ ◯Effects of preventing and remedying skin roughness ◯ ◯ Δ Effects ofpreventing the firm and resilient skin ◯ ◯ ◯ from declining, remedyingthe declined skin, preventing a complexion from dulling and remedying adull looking face Effects of preventing and remedying the ◯ ◯ ◯conspicuousness of pores of the skin and pimples Effects of preventingdevelopnent of wrinkles and ◯ ◯ ◯ remedying the wrinkled skin Effects ofpreventing and remedying spots and ◯ ◯ ◯ freckles Feeling upon use Δ ◯ Δ

[0101] TABLE 5 Comparative product Component (%) 4 5 6  (1)Tris(butoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (2) Tris(butoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate— — —  (3) Tris (butoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (4)Tris(ethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (5) Tris(ethoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (6) This(methoxyethoxyethyl)phosphate — — —  (7) This(methoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — — —  (8)Polyoxyethylene (60) hydrogenated castor 2 2 2  oil  (9) Ceramide¹⁾ — —3 (10) Pseudoceramide²⁾ 3 — — (11) Pseudoceramide³⁾ — 3 — (12) Glycerol— 5 — (13) 1,3-Butylene glycol 5 — 5 (14) Arginine 0.5 0.5 0.5 (15)Hamamelis extract 4) — — 1 (16) Peony extract⁵⁾ — — — (17) Thujopsisdolabrata extract⁶⁾ — 1 — (18) Chamomile extract⁷⁾ 0.5 0.5 0.5 (19) Teaextract⁸⁾ 0.5 0.5 0.5 (20) Magnesium L-ascorbic acid phosphate 2 — —(21) Arbutin — — 2 (22) Kojic acid — — — (23) Stearyl glycyrrhetinate0.1 0.1 0.1 (24) Cetanol 0.3 0.3 0.3 (25) Stearyl alcohol 0.2 0.2 0.2(26) Acid hetero-polysaccharide⁹⁾ 0.1 0.1 0.1 (27) Acrylic polymer(Carbopol 981) 0.3 0.3 0.3 (28) Cholesterol 1.0 1.0 1.0 (29)dl-α-Tocopherol 0.5 0.5 0.5 (30) dl-α-Tocopherol nicotinate — — — (31)Nicotinic acid amide — — — (32) dl-α-Tocopherol acetate — — — (33)Maronnier extract¹⁰⁾ 1 — — (34) Rice germ oil — 1 — (35) Zincsulfocarbolate — — — (36) Royal jelly — — — (37) 10-Hydroxyundecanoicacid — — 1 (38) Tsopropylmethylphenol 0.1 — — (39) Salicylic acid — 0.1— (40) Ethanol 5.0 5.0 5.0 (41) Perfume base 0.1 0.1 0.1 (42) Purifiedwater Bal. Bal. Bal. Moisturizing effect ◯ ◯ ◯ Effects of preventing andremedying skin roughness ◯ ◯ ◯ Effects of preventing the firm andresilient skin ◯ ◯ Δ from declining, remedying the declined skin,preventing a complexion fran dulling and remedying a dull looking faceEffects of preventing and remedying the ◯ ◯ ◯ conspicuousness of poresof the skin and pimples Effects of preventing develorment of wrinklesand Δ ◯ ◯ remedying the wrinkled skin Effects of preventing andremedying spots and ◯ Δ ◯ freckles Feeling upon use Δ Δ Δ

[0102] TABLE 6 Comparative product Component (%) 7  (1)Tris(butoxyethyl) phosphate —  (2) Tris(butoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate — (3) Tris(butoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate —  (4)Tris(ethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate —  (5) Tris(ethoxyethoxyethoxyethyl)phosphate —  (6) Tris(methoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate —  (7)Tris(methoxyethoxyethoxyethyl) phosphate —  (8) Polyoxyethylene (60)hydrogenated castor oil 2  (9) Ceramide¹⁾ — (10) Pseudoceramide²⁾ 3 (11)Pseudoceramide³⁾ — (12) Glycerol 5 (13) 1,3-Butylene glycol — (14)Arginine 0.5 (15) Hamamelis extract⁴⁾ — (16) Peony extract⁵⁾ 1 (17)Thujopsis dolabrata extract⁶⁾ — (18) Chamomile extract⁷⁾ 0.5 (19) Teaextract⁸⁾ 0.5 (20) Magnesium L-ascorbic acid phosphate — (21) Arbutin —(22) Kojic acid 2 (23) Stearyl glycyrrhetinate 0.1 (24) Cetanol 0.3 (25)Stearyl alcohol 0.2 (26) Acid hetero-polysaccharide⁹⁾ 0.1 (27) Acrylicpolymer (Carbopol 981) 0.3 (28) cholesterol 1.0 (29) dl-α-Tocopherol 0.5(30) dl-α-Tocopherol nicotinate 1 (31) Nicotinic acid amide — (32)dl-α-Tocopherol acetate — (33) Maronnier extract¹⁰⁾ — (34) Rice germ oil— (35) Zinc sulfocarbolate — (36) Royal jelly — (37)10-Hydroxyundecanoic acid — (38) Isopropylmethylphenol — (39) Salicylicacid — (40) Ethanol 5.0 (41) Perfume base 0.1 (42) Purified waterBalance Moisturizing effect ◯ Effects of preventing and remedying skinroughness ◯ Effects of preventing the firm and resilient skin from ◯declining, remedying the declined skin, preventing a ccmplexion fromdulling and remedying a dull looking face Effects of preventing andremedying the Δ conspicuousness of pores of the skin and pimples Effectsof preventing development of wrinkles and ◯ remedying the wrinkled skinEffects of preventing and remedying spots and freckles ◯ Feeling uponuse Δ

[0103] Apparent from the results shown in Tables 1 to 6, all thecosmetics according to the present invention were synergisticallyenhanced in the moisturizing effect, the effects of preventing andremedying skin roughness, the effects of preventing the firm andresilient skin from declining and remedying the declined skin, theeffects of preventing a complexion from dulling and remedying a dulllooking face, the effects of preventing and remedying theconspicuousness of pores of the skin and pimples caused by excess sebum,microorganisms or keratonosis, the effects of preventing development ofwrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin, and the effects of preventingand remedying spots and freckles compared with the conventionalcosmetics, and showed good results even in a feeling upon use.

Example 2

[0104] Cosmetics of their corresponding formulations shown in Table 7were prepared to determine the retention of their moisturizing effects.TABLE 7 Invention product Comparative product Component (wt. %) 8 9 1011 8 9 10 11 12 (1) Bis(butoxyethoxyethyl)- 50 25 — — 100 — — — — ethylphosphate (2) Tris(butoxyethyl) — — 50 25 — 100 — — — phosphate (3)Dipropylene glycol 50 50 50 50 — — 100 — — (4) Glycerol — 25 — 25 — — —100 — (5) Purified water — — — — — — — — 100

[0105] <Testing Method>

[0106] A fixed amount of each of the above samples was applied to thelower inner arm of a volunteer and washed off with hot water after leftat rest for 1 hour. The volunteer was got to enter an air-conditionedroom kept at a temperature of 20° C. and a humidity of 30%. Fifteenminutes after that, the water content in the horny layer of thevolunteer was measured by an impedance meter (manufactured by IBSCompany). After additional 3 hours, the treated arm was washed with hotwater again. Fifty minutes after that, the water content was measured inthe same manner as described above. The results are shown in Table 8.The values shown in the table were average values (N=10). TABLE 8Retention of * moisturizing Invention product Comparative product effect8 9 10 11 8 9 10 11 12 After 15 min. 105 110 105 110 70 70 65 75 60After 3 hr.  65  75  65  80 40 40 35 45 40

[0107] As apparent from Table 8, the mixed systems of phosphorictriester/dipropylene glycol in the invention products 8 and 10 wereexcellent in the moisturizing effect and the retention thereof comparedwith the cosmetics in which the phosphoric triester and dipropyleneglycol were separately incorporated, and so it was proved that bothcomponents synergistically act. It was confirmed from the inventionproducts 9 and 11 that the addition of glycerol is also effective.

Example 3

[0108] Creams of their corresponding formulations shown in Table 9 wereprepared to determine the retention of their moisturizing effects. TABLE9 Invention Comp. product product Component (wt. %) 12 13 13 (1)Vaseline 6.0 6.0 6.0 (2) Cetanol 3.0 3.0 3.0 (3) Lipophilic glycerol 2.02.0 2.0 monostearate (4) Polyoxyethylene sorbitan 2.0 2.0 2.0monoglycerate (20 E.O.) (5) Bis(butoxyethoxyethyl)- 20.0  — — ethylphosphate (6) Tris(butoxyethyl) — 20.0  — phosphate (7) Olive oil — —20.0  (8) Butylparaben 0.1 0.1 0.1 (9) Methylparaben 0.1 0.1 0.1 (10)Dipropylene glycol 10.0  10.0  10.0  (11) Perfume base 0.1 0.1 0.1 (12)Purified water Balance Balance Balance

[0109] <Preparation Process>

[0110] The oil-phase components (1) to (8) were mixed and heated to meltthem. The melt was kept at 70° C., while the water-phase components (9)to (12) were gradually added to the melt. The resultant mixture wasemulsified by an emulsifier. The emulsion was cooled down to a finaltemperature of 25° C., thereby preparing a cream.

[0111] <Testing Method>

[0112] A fixed amount of each of the above samples was applied to thelower inner arm of a volunteer and washed off with hot water after leftat rest for 2 hours. The volunteer was got to enter an air-conditionedroom kept at a temperature of 20° C. and a humidity of 40%. Fifteenminutes after that, the water content in the horny layer of thevolunteer was measured by an impedance meter (manufactured by IBSCompany). One hour, 2 hours and 5 hours after the first washing with hotwater, the treated arm was washed with hot water likewise to measure thewater content in the horny layer after each washing. The results areshown in Table 10. The values shown in the table were average values(N=5). TABLE 10 Retention of* Comp. moisturizing Invention productproduct effect 12 13 Blank 13 Right after 91 90 33 60 first washingAfter 1 hour 80 78 33 55 After 2 hours 65 64 34 49 After 5 hours 55 5531 38

[0113] As apparent from Table 10, it was proved that the creams of theinvention products 12 and 13 have a high moisturizing effect and areexcellent in the retention thereof.

[0114] Industrial Applicability

[0115] The cosmetics according to the present invention aresynergistically enhanced in moisturizing effect, the effects ofpreventing and remedying skin roughness, the effects of preventing thefirm and resilient skin from declining and remedying the declined skin,the effects of preventing a complexion from dulling and remedying a dulllooking face, the effects of preventing and remedying theconspicuousness of pores of the skin and pimples caused by excess sebum,microorganisms or keratonosis, the effects of preventing development ofwrinkles and remedying the wrinkled skin, and the effects of preventingand remedying spots and freckles by using the phosphoric triester of thecomponent (A) and the skin activating component of the component (B) incombination, and moreover give users a pleasant feeling upon use andhave excellent stability.

1. A cosmetic comprising the following components (A) and (B): (A) aphosphoric triester represented by the general formula (1):

wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different from each other andindependently a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 8 carbonatoms; R³ is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbonatoms; X, Y and Z are the same or different from one another andindependently a linear or branched alkylene group having 2 or 3 carbonatoms; l and m are the same or different from each other andindependently a number of 1 to 10, and n is a number of 0 to 10; and (B)a skin activating component.
 2. The cosmetic according to claim 1,wherein the phosphoric triester of the component (A) is a compound inwhich in the general formula (1), R¹, R² and R³ are independently analkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, X, Y and Z are all ethylenegroups, and l, m and n are independently a number of 1 to
 4. 3. Thecosmetic according to claim 1, wherein the phosphoric triester of thecomponent (A) is a compound in which in the general formula (1), R¹ andR² are independently an alkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, R³ is analkyl group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms, X and Y are both ethylenegroups, n is a number of 0, and l and m are independently a number of 1to
 5. 4. The cosmetic according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein thecomponent (B) is at least one selected from the group consisting ofceramides, pseudoceramides, hydrophilic moisturizers, amino acids, plantextracts, whitening agents, anti-inflammatory agents, singlet oxygenscavengers, antioxidants, water-soluble polymers, alcohols, sterols,blood circulation-facilitating agents, sebum secretion inhibitors,softening agents, anti-microbial agents and keratolytic agents.
 5. Amethod for improving the efficacy of a skin activating component, whichcomprises incorporating a phosphoric triester according to claim 1 intoa cosmetic composition comprising the skin activating component.
 6. Useof a phosphoric triester according to claim 1 as an efficacy improvingagent for a skin activating component.